Rural Women Diplomats – Mediation of a longstanding conflict in the Volta River Basin

What role do women in rural settings play in resolving potential conflicts around the use and benefits of land and water? A newly published study highlights the role of women in fostering constructive dialogue about water use among different beneficiaries.

The study conducted by Augustine Ayantunde of the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), in partnership with the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) emphasizes why it is important for scientists working on smallholder farming systems to get beyond simplistic notions on gender relations, which sometimes give rise to misunderstandings about rural women’s roles and responsibilities.